BC Ferry’s is prohibiting camp fuel that contain BUTANE

Just a update to this thread August 1 2025

1) NO butane canisters are allowed in the camping type form. Backpacking type canisters as well offshore type spray can type. No idea BCFerries policy for butane lighter refills canisters.

2) Please be advised 2025 this document found on bcferries web page is incorrect. https://www.bcferries.com/web_image/hb8/h47/8800139018270.pdf
5L COLEMAN’S FUEL, NAPTHA, WHITE GAS now requires completing this form.
You would need to fill out the following documentation:https://www.bcferries.com/web_image/h01/h47/9041334829086.pdf

I hope that helps

Propane – is permitted on BC Ferries in approved cylinders within specific limits and when carried for domestic use only. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from carrying propane cylinders of any size. Cylinders must be upright and securely attached to the vehicle.Recreational vehicles (e.g. RVs, campers and motorhomes) are permitted:Up to 2 cylinders, each with a maximum of 46 litre water capacity individually.* The maximum capacity for both cylinders combined cannot equal more than 65 litre water capacity total.
Propane must be for domestic use and must be secured to the vehicle or trailer.
A vehicle or trailer carrying a portable barbecue (or for a BBQ) is permitted:Limit of one (1) cylinder with a capacity not exceeding 18.9L water capacity.
This would make the 3rd allowable cylinder for RVs, trailers and camping vehicles.
Butane
Some camping fuels are prohibited, for example, UN1011 Butane. Reach out to your terminal of departure prior to travel for more details, if desired.

Hello Cynthia

This is the customer service to expect

UN 1268 packing group 1 is not allowed on passenger sailings.

UN 1268 packing group 2 is only allowed on open car decks (cannot travel on the major routes between the mainland and Vancouver Island).

UN 1268 packing group 3 is limited depending on the flashpoint of the product. For a flashpoint above 37.8C, documentation is required but there is no limit. For a flashpoint below 37.8C the following applies:

Flash Point 23 C. – 37.8 C.: may only be carried in containers up to a maximum of 250 L. If container size is up to 90L, no limit to numbers of containers. If container size is between 91 L – 250 L, maximum of 1 container per vehicle. Documentation is required.

As I noted the page with the butane information isn’t not on the normal page as well it’s a “note” .  So I don’t blame anyone for not being able to find it

Just to add some humour to this thread just check out BC ferries response

I started to ask BCFerries directly about some items. One was to confirm about white gas, camping fuel or Colman fuel. With links to MSR, Coleman and crown fuels in square metal cans.  Some how pressurized gas can be stored in thin square cans ?  Roll eyes

”Some of those photos show “camp fuel”. Camp fuel is a generic name used for various types of fuel (such as propane, butane, and white gas). I can only provide you with information on each fuel.”

Sounds like closed vehicle decks is the issue… but “Speaking of losing reservations I found out the hard way that if you have a reservation for an over height vehicle and turn up under height the reservation is void. This resulted in a lost half day waiting for the next available ferry. It seemed that my offer to strap my passenger on the roof to comply to the over height catergory wasn’t acceptable and was not appreciated.” is also a fair warning – both for underheight vehicles (wha?) and passengers travelling with Tony 😀

I emailed the Dangerous Goods Office for BC Ferries and specifically asked about Primus and here is the response below. News to me, I have always carried these gas containers in my car to the Island on this ferry. Can’t say I didn’t know now. Ignorance WAS bliss.

Primus gas

UN2037

Shipping name of the product is “liquified petroleum gas’

Dangerous Goods Office
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.

UN 2037 cannot be transported on closed deck vessels, and all the vessels operating on the route between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo are closed deck vessels. As such, this product cannot be transported.

BC Ferries have always had confusing restrictions on camping stove fuels. I recall having to surrender our white gas at Port Hardy prior to boarding for Prince Rupert that resulted in some  some frantic efforts to obtain fuel on arrival in Haida Gwaii. On subsequent trips to Haida Gwaii this wasn’t a problem.

Regarding the present ban on transporting butane canisters (that I assume would also apply to small propane canisters) this is less of a problem on an outgoing trip when one can pick up canisters on the way to Vancouver Island or Haida Gwaii destinations but presents more of a problem with partially depleted canisters. I guess that we will have to be wasteful and void the canister and then punch holes in it to prove that we are not carrying butane on our return journey.

Speaking of losing reservations I found out the hard way that if you have a reservation for an over height vehicle and turn up under height the reservation is void. This resulted in a lost half day waiting for the next available ferry. It seemed that my offer to strap my passenger on the roof to comply to the over height catergory  wasn’t acceptable and was not appreciated.